The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-03-03


Now he must act with promptness.
He raised himself little and put the
clothes just far enough back for his as
sailant to see his laughing blue eyes.
The damsel stopped midway in her ca
reer; an express on of stony horror
flashed into her face; her cheeks d ed
with crimson, and uttering an agon;zed
little groan she turned and fled.
Charlie laughed all the time ha was
getting up. He could not help wonder
inc how she would meet him at break
last. 5y dove, what pretty creature
she was! Would she tell any one or
would she ignore the incidentp He
would take his cue from her. The fam
lily were all assembled in the breakfast
room when he came down, and he was
presented to his host and hostess; to
three nice, fresh-looking girls. Leslie's
sisters, and a fair young fellow about
his own height and coloring as my
cousin Fame" But where was the
fourth, his charming visitant? There
was no other place laid at tho table,
and breakfast came and went emo she
did not appear. He heard the other
girls address the cousin as Charlie, and
comprehended that that was the young
gentleman for whom he had mistaken.
Still he did not approve of girl, such a
pretty girl, too, making SO free with a
cousin. "A brother is all very well, :"
etc. 1t was evident that no one knew
syllable about the event of the morn
| ing. Every time the door opened Char
lie looked toward it; his eyes wandered
over the lawn into the garden. He was
almost distract.
''Have You any moro sisters?' he
asked of Leslie, as they walked TO-
gether to the shooting, a little apart
from the father and cousin.
mo, only those three, - replied Les
lie. ''And quite enough, too.'
Charlie was completely mystified.
He did not shoot as straight as usual;
his thoughts were distracted by the
pretty, golden-haircd creature who had
aroused him from his slumbers. He
could not have dreamed it-no, there
was the wet sponge on his bed when
he got up.
The shooting was over; he and Les
lie were strolling homcward along the
road, when smart little village cart
with trotting pony. and freighted
with two ladies' came toward them.
This is our parsons wife," said
Leslie. ''Such good sort-I must in
troduce you to her. And, as he made
a sign to the charioteer, she pulled up,
and Charlie saw her companion was
his fair friend of the morning.
'How are you. Mrs. Grey?" cried
Leslie, cheerly. Let me introduce my
friend West to you. Mrs. Grey. MIR.
West; Lii, Mr.. West"
Lii made the slightest motion of he,
head. without meeting Charles eyes.
Leslie INDUCED in some gay bandinage
with Mrs. Grey and Charlie, though he
felt slightly embarrassed. tried to make
conversation with Miss Lii. She an.
swered Eyes," or no." as occasion re.
CURED and never once raised her eve:
to his lace.
"Do come up and dine tonight. Mrs.
Grey entreated Leslie; my mother
would be SO awfully pleased. I'll &C
home and get a note from her if you
think it necessary
Mrs. Grey appeared to waver; then
Charlie distinctly saw Miss Lii pincl
her friend in meaning manner
''Many thanks; am sorry, but can.
not possibly manage it tonight" Mrs
Grey answered. We have so much t
do still for the bazaar.''
''Lil, you young puss!' cried Leslie,
"what do you mean by deserving us in
this way? 1t is a very poor compli.
| mcnt to West. here.'
I've are SO busy settling about the
BAZAAR replied the young lady.
well. l suppose you are coming
home sometime to night Shall
walk down and fetch you?"
Dor said Mrs. Grey; but again
West saw the surrcptitious pinch, and
Miss Lii replied hastily:
mo. please don't. Mr.. Grey will
see me home. l do not know when
shall be ready"
The pony was getting impatient.
I'VE must he off," said Mrs. Grey.
Tommy is in hurry" And away they
flew.
"What do you think of our parsons
wife?' asked Leslie.
Not much the cut of q parsons
wife, replied Charlie. ''By Jove
what a figure, and what fit her jacket
was!"
''She's the right Sort" said Leslie.
lit would be deuced good job if there
were more like her. Bring lot more
sinners to rcpentance!' and he laue hec
merrily.
"Who is the young lady with hcr?''
asked Charlie, trying to speak indiffer.
emily.
20, that is Lillian Fame, my cousin
Charles sister,"
"A feight seemed taken from hi.
friends breast.
20" he said with gasp of relief.
''Tiresome. capricious money ex
claimed Leslie. ''She must take il
into her head all of sudden this
morning to fly up before breakfast
down to Mrs. Grey. 1t is all rubbish
about the bazaar; it is not to be fol
another month. just because
wanted you to meet her. She is CAPT
tai company and sings divincly. Jus
like woman. Last night asked &
dozen questions and was quite inter
ested about you, and this morning
flies off without stopping to set eyes
on you.'
A smile curled Charles upper lip
''She is lovely he said. lit is very
unk;nd Of her."
NASTY little vixen," retorted Leslie
In his heart Charlie was secret,
provoked. Leslie's sisters were nice
cherry, fresh-looking girls, but they
could not hold candle to Lillian. He
was dying to see her again. He had
never felt such an interest in a girl be-
fore. She did not make her appear
ance that evening, and the following
morning at breakfast she was still alb
sent. He was piqucd. 1t was simply
ridiculous for her to 60 on stunning
him on account of stupid little con
tretemps that might have happened t
any one.
I'm afraid" he remarked with ,